MAINZ, Germany – Visiting prospects, identifying opportunities and strengthening current relations comprised the core of a 12-day European business development trip conducted in June by Vincennes Mayor Joe Yochum and Chris Pfaff, CEO of Knox County Indiana Economic Development (KCIED).
The trip focused on direct outreach to both business prospects in Germany and France and also on strengthening key relationships in the Vincennes sister cities of Vincennes, France, and Wasserburg am Inn in Bavaria Germany.
Building key relationships
“Traveling to meet key executives in their international headquarters and places of business demonstrates critical commitment to building and sustaining mutually beneficial relationships,” said Pfaff. “We are careful to regularly communicate and stay in touch throughout the year, but nothing replaces the value of a one-on-one meeting in these situations.”
The SCHOTT CERAN© facility in Vincennes announced a $1.8 million expansion in 2025, and Pfaff noted that the direct visit with SCHOTT executives continues to help demonstrate that Knox County is “a stable, strategic partner for the company.”
In addition to direct meetings with SCHOTT executives, the Mayor and Pfaff took part in a day-long set of discussions, workshops, and networking focused on the future of transatlantic business, at the June 9 German American Business Forum in Mainz, Germany. Topics addressed included market entry issues, AI deployment, and regulatory issues governing transatlantic operations.
Energy conference and prospects
Following the Business Forum, the two travelled to Stuttgart, Germany for an Energy Storage Conference, where they took part in presentations, meetings and corporate product exhibits. Before traveling, KCIED prepared a bi-lingual Fact Sheet (English and German) detailing battery and energy development in Indiana for distribution to prospects and interested parties at the German conference.
The time spent in Germany included meeting with prospective businesses and investors. “Our relationship with the Transatlantic Business and Investment Council, based in Berlin, helps us identify potential investors and business development opportunities,” said Pfaff.
German Sister City
On June 12 Mayor Yochum and Pfaff visited with officials in Wasserburg am Inn, a Bavarian city that has a formal Sister City relationship with the City of Vincennes. “Our Sister City relationships offer the means to introduce Vincennes and Knox County to potential investors and supporters in a friendly environment,” explained Yochum. “They are a key part of developing and sustaining important connections.”
French business opportunities
Vincennes, France was the next stop on the business development tour, where the Mayor and KCIED CEO met with entrepreneurs, local officials and business leaders. “We were grateful to take part in direct discussions with business leaders there, and they surprised us by bringing in a vintage 1967 Ford Mustang decked with American and French flags to commemorate our visit,” said Mayor Yochum. The meetings were followed by a dinner with aerospace industry executives.
Last year Mayor Yochum celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Sister City relationship Vincennes Indiana and Vincennes France have together with Mayor Charlotte Libert-Albanel, who travelled to the southwest Indiana city. During that 2025 celebration, Mayor Yochum declared Mayor Libert-Albanel and French exchange students attending to be honorary citizens of Vincennes, Indiana.
On this trip, Mayor Libert-Albanel organized a formal dedication on June 17 of a city park in Vincennes, France in honor of America’s 250th anniversary and its continuing relationship with Vincennes, Indiana. After jointly unveiling a commemorative plaque, both Mayors delivered short speeches confirming the bond between the two cities (Vincennes, France is a suburb of Paris).
“It was a heavily scheduled trip, and a worthy investment of time in building and strengthening key relationships,” said Pfaff. “At the conferences we saw highly engaged representatives of business and economic development entities from other states, which underscored the competitive nature of attracting and retaining key investment from European and other businesses.”
Mayor Yochum and the KCIED’s Pfaff returned to Indiana on June 19.
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About Knox County Indiana Economic Development (KCIED)
Established in 1981, Knox County Indiana Economic Development’s leadership and vision have created an atmosphere of cooperation. We are dedicated to maintaining and improving the quality of life for the citizens of Knox County by developing the overall economy of the county. KCIED has a supportive board that is actively involved in the recruitment, expansion, and retention of businesses. In addition to a strong partnership with the City of Vincennes and Knox County government, Knox County Indiana Economic Development has more than 100 private members that help fund the economic development efforts. For more information, please visit https://
